Loyalty: Navigating The Best Rewards For Your Cruises

• The new Royal Caribbean Points Choice program allows travelers to choose which sister brand receives their loyalty points.
• Carnival Rewards will debut in June 2026 and transition to a spend-based status system with redeemable points.
• Norwegian Cruise Line now offers seamless status matching with its luxury counterparts Oceania and Regent Seven Seas.
• Princess Cruises maintains a highly accessible path to top-tier benefits and continues to offer lifetime status

The world of cruise loyalty has entered a dynamic new era in 2026, offering travelers more flexibility, personalized rewards, and seamless experiences across global brands. This evolution is driven by the desire to better recognize the diverse ways modern cruisers engage with their favorite lines, whether through frequent short getaways, luxury world voyages, or even everyday spending on the mainland. As the major players in the industry refine their programs, the result is a landscape where your loyalty is more portable and valuable than ever before.

One of the most significant breakthroughs of the year is the launch of the Royal Caribbean Group Points Choice program, which debuted on January 30, 2026. This initiative is a total game changer for fans of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea. For the first time, guests have the freedom to decide which loyalty program should receive the points earned during a sailing, regardless of which brand they are currently on. This means a traveler seeking to reach the prestigious Zenith status with Celebrity Cruises can now funnel points earned from a family vacation on a Royal Caribbean mega-ship or an ultra-luxury expedition with Silversea directly into their preferred account. This flexibility encourages explorers to sample different styles of cruising while still making meaningful progress toward their primary loyalty goals.

Simultaneously, Carnival Cruise Line is preparing for the highly anticipated launch of Carnival Rewards on June 1, 2026. This modernized system moves beyond simply counting nights at sea to a more holistic approach that rewards overall engagement. Under this program, guests earn status qualifying stars based on a combination of cruise days and onboard spending, including specialty dining, shore excursions, and spa treatments. While this represents a shift toward a rolling two-year status model similar to major airline programs, it also opens up new avenues for earning. The addition of points that can be redeemed for onboard purchases or future cruises provides a tangible sense of immediate value. Current elite members are being thoughtfully transitioned, with Diamond status holders enjoying a generous six-year grace period to adapt to the new system, ensuring that long-term loyalty remains deeply respected.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has also enhanced its Latitudes Rewards program by introducing robust cross-brand status matching with its sister lines, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas. This allows travelers who have reached elite tiers on NCL to enjoy high-level perks like priority boarding, laundry services, and exclusive events when they choose to step up to a more boutique or luxury experience. By honoring status across the entire corporate family, these programs make it easier for cruisers to find the perfect ship for every occasion without losing the hard-earned benefits they value most.

For those who prioritize reaching the top tiers quickly, Princess Cruises continues to offer one of the most attainable and rewarding loyalty structures in the industry through the Captain’s Circle. With its straightforward path to elite status and lifetime recognition, it remains a favorite for guests who appreciate consistent value and a sense of belonging. Meanwhile, specialized lines like Holland America and Disney Cruise Line continue to refine their unique offerings, from the Mariner Society’s generous onboard credits to the Castaway Club’s early access to magical new itineraries. Whether you are a first-time cruiser or a seasoned veteran with hundreds of days at sea, the 2026 loyalty landscape is designed to celebrate your journey and enhance every moment you spend on the water.

Comparing the loyalty programs of Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises reveals two different approaches to rewarding guest loyalty, with Princess focusing on attainability and Celebrity emphasizing cabin-based rewards and brand reciprocity.

Princess Cruises: Captain’s Circle

The Captain’s Circle program is widely regarded as one of the most accessible loyalty programs in the cruise industry. It allows guests to progress through tiers based on either the number of cruises taken or the total number of nights spent at sea.

• Earning Status: Guests receive one cruise credit per sailing, which is doubled for those staying in suites or traveling solo. Alternatively, status is tracked by “cruise days” (one per night). The program uses whichever metric reaches the next tier faster.
• Tiers: The levels are Gold, Ruby, Platinum, and Elite.
• Top Tier (Elite): This level is exceptionally attainable, requiring only 15 cruises or 150 cruise days.
• Core Benefits: Elite members receive practical amenities such as complimentary laundry and shoe polishing, a one-time stateroom mini-bar setup, a 10% discount on shore excursions, and 50% off MedallionNet Wi-Fi packages. Status is permanent once achieved.

Celebrity Cruises: Captain’s Club

Celebrity’s Captain’s Club utilizes a points-per-night system where the earning rate is dictated by the category of stateroom booked. ^{This rewards guests who choose premium accommodations with faster advancement.}

• Earning Status: Points range from 2 per night for inside or ocean-view cabins to 24 per night for the top-tier Iconic Suites.
• Tiers: The levels are Classic, Select, Elite, Elite Plus, and Zenith.
• Status Levels: Elite status (300 points) is the most common goal for frequent cruisers, while Zenith (3,000 points) is reserved for the most dedicated travelers.
• Core Benefits: Elite members enjoy a daily cocktail hour, limited complimentary laundry, and discounts on internet and spa services. Zenith members receive the highest level of rewards, including a complimentary premium beverage package, unlimited Wi-Fi, and a free 7-night cruise milestone.
• Reciprocity: A key feature in 2026 is the “Points Choice” and “Status Match” programs within the Royal Caribbean Group. Guests can match their status to Royal Caribbean or Silversea and even choose which brand’s program receives the points earned on a particular sailing.

Key Comparison Points

• Attainability: Princess is superior for travelers who prefer standard cabins and want to reach top-tier benefits quickly. It is much easier to reach Elite on Princess than the equivalent levels on Celebrity for a passenger consistently booking entry-level rooms.
• Luxury Rewards: Celebrity offers a higher ceiling for rewards. The perks at the Zenith level far exceed those available on Princess, but they require a significantly higher investment of time and money.
• Brand Flexibility: Celebrity offers a more integrated experience for those who enjoy variety. The ability to carry status and points across sister brands like Royal Caribbean and Silversea provides a broader range of ship styles and destinations compared to the standalone nature of the Princess program

The following chart illustrates how Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises compare in their loyalty offerings as of 2026. This breakdown highlights the common ground shared by these premium lines and the unique, standalone perks that differentiate their programs.

Loyalty Comparison: Princess Cruises vs. Celebrity Cruises

Important Topics To Know

1. Celebrity offers a social daily cocktail event for its Elite tiers while Princess focuses on in-stateroom amenities like afternoon tea and mini-bar setups.
2. Princess Cruises provides a 10% discount on most shore excursions for its top members, a perk not typically found in the Celebrity program.
3. Celebrity’s Zenith members receive the industry’s most robust high-tier rewards, including a free 7-night cruise and unlimited premium drinks.
4. The Royal Caribbean Group’s cross-brand status match allows Celebrity cruisers to enjoy their perks on three different cruise lines simultaneously.